Lesia Mackowycz
Lyric Coloratura Soprano
Hildesheim, Nidersachsen, Germany
Please tell our readers about your career highlights so far.
Since finding my singing voice in the bathtub at the age of 4, I’ve known I wanted to be an opera singer. Now that I am a full-time young singer (I’m 32) living and working in Germany, career highlights for me include getting my bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honors, moving to Germany to do an artist diploma, and getting my first full-time contract at the Stadttheater Hildesheim two years ago (I still work there).
What are your goals for the next five years? The next 10 years?
My goal for the next five years is to continue on my personal musical journey. I want to keep learning and keep the music fresh, even after the 65th performance of The Magic Flute. I would also like to start writing my own advice articles to singers.
Within 10 years I hope to be teaching at the university level. It is very important to me to help cultivate the future’s opera singers, and to keep our wonderful art form going strong.
What is your dream role, and why?
Zerbinetta. Hands down. Although amazingly difficult to sing, [it is] the perfect combination of text and music. I cannot wait until the day I get to play this role!
How do you handle the inevitable rejection that is part of a singer’s life?
To be honest, sometimes not that well. Rejection hurts, bad critiques hurt. I [was] told once that I was “the worst singer ever heard.” Two months [later] . . . I won $12,000 in a competition. You have to keep going until the others fall down. Rejection [stinks], but it’s just someone’s opinion. You’re nothing unless you believe in yourself.
How do you balance career and family?
I’ve been engaged for a year now, but have not found the time to plan and have a wedding. At the beginning of an opera career, one really needs time to concentrate on auditions and performances. One day I’m in Düsseldorf, the next in Berlin, and then sometimes have four performances in one week! On the other hand, without my family and fiancé, none of this would be possible. It sounds simple, but you just have to make time. I usually go for a walk in the forest Sunday afternoons with my fiancé—plus I call home almost everyday!
What is your favorite article you’ve read in Classical Singer, and why?
Any article by Dr. Anthony Jahn. My fiancé is a doctor, so we read and discuss them together.
Who is your favorite singer and why?
Reri Grist. I admire her courage, coming to Europe and making an international career at a time when maybe it wasn’t that easy. I admire her perfect use of language, and the way she stays true to the score. Her acting is also wonderful, honest and never too much. She never let anyone convince her to push her voice into making it larger. Her voice is small, wonderful, and with an amazing core that would carry over a football field. Because she never forced her voice, she’s still got a rockin’ high C!
What is your favorite techno tool you use as a singer?
I can’t live without my digital voice recorder. I use it to record all my orchestra rehearsals. I put it in the middle of the hall and check for diction, sound, and balance. I hate listening to myself, but force myself to do it.
